Evidence
of wall covering can be found right back in 200BC in China where paper
was invented. Wall coverings were not only used as a decorative medium
but as a way of insulating the walls. Wallpaper was a cheaper substitute
to panelling and tapestries and became popular in the wealthy households
of the 1500's.

Jean-Michel Papillon,
a French engraver and considered the inventor of wallpaper, started
making block designs in matching, continuous patterns in 1675, and wallpaper
as we know it today was on its way. Rebecca
Schunck

In the 18th Century
wallpapers popularity soared. All the wealthy fashion followers wanted
the latest hand printed designs and manufacturers had also started to
created designs that became more affordable to the mass market.

Borders
were designed at first to cover the tack holding the wallpaper to the
wall. When in the 1800's it became popular to divide up the wall height
with the dado, filler and frieze, borders were used to differentiate
each section.

In
the Regency
period, military stripes, Rococo
designs or a flock pattern were popular. Flock, which gave the impression
of cut velvet, continued to be fashionable well into the Victorian
period.

The
Victorians loved strong colours decorating bold patterns of flowers
or arabesque designs. Artists look upon nature and Art
Nouveau designs were popular at this time.

In
the later part of the Victorian period, the demand for flock wall paper
went into decline. The Victorians now favored the clean hygienic look.
Wallpaper became lighter in colour and was promoted as sanitized as
it could be wiped down.

At
the turn of the 20th Century wallpaper pasting machines first appeared.
The Arts
& Crafts designs became prominent and then chintz became fashionable.
The Edwardians
preferred a simpler pattern set upon a cream background. In the roaring
twenties wallpaper hit a new high with designs. Stripes topped with
floral borders and a shiny reflective finish due to a coating of mica.
Futurist and Cubist
designs were printed heavily. In the 40's and 50's decorative scenes
of islands and other romantic settings were printed. After the Second
World War vinyl wallpaper was introduced which offered washable
surface that was durable and resistant to stains.